Anorexia & Bulimia

Home » Anorexia & Bulimia » Bulimia Nervosa Overview

Bulimia Nervosa Overview

Bulimia nervosa ("bulimia") is characterized by repeatedly eating abnormally large amounts of food in a short period of time and then trying to compensate for the binge by purging (i.e., engaging in self-induced vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics), exercising excessively, or fasting. Bulimics feelings of self-worth depend on body shape and weight. Unlike anorexics, bulimics are usually aware of their behavior, are unable to stop, are within their normal body weight range. They may be slightly over- or underweight. Bulimics are usually ashamed of their binge behavior and do it secretly. They are often depressed or anxious and about one-third abuse drugs (particularly stimulants) or alcohol.

Many people overeat occasionally, but bulimics do so on a regular basis, sometimes as often as 5 times a day, 7 days a week. A binge might include, for example, half a cake, a pint of ice cream, several donuts, half a pizza, a bag of chips, and a half-pound of cheese. Binge foods usually include sweet, high-calorie foods like cakes and ice cream, though the food chosen varies.

The average age of onset for bulimia is 18 years, but it occurs in children as young as 9 and adults into their mid-40s. Most bulimics go through a period of prolonged dieting or restricted eating before the cyclic binging-purging episodes begin. Researchers have identified several events that can trigger the onset of bulimia, such as family problems, problems in romantic relationships, and failure in school and work.

Bulimia is classified into two types, according to how compensation for binging is achieved. People who regularly engage in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives or diuretics following a binge have purging bulimia. People who compensate for binging by fasting or exercising excessively and do not regularly vomit or misuse laxatives or diuretics have nonpurging bulimia.

Diagnosis

Bulimia nervosa is classified as a mental disorder according to the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition). According to the manual, the following criteria are used to diagnose bulimia nervosa:

• Repeated episodes of binge eating. A binge involves eating a larger-than-normal amount of food within a period of time (e.g., within 2 hours). Eating a large amount of food at a holiday dinner or wedding, for example, is not necessarily binging. Feasting is an important part of many celebrations. Someone who is binging feels out of control and is unable to stop eating.
• Binge eating is followed by inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to avoid gaining weight. The most common behavior is self-induced vomiting. Other compensatory behaviors include the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting; and excessive exercise.
• Binge eating and compensatory behavior occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 consecutive months.
• The patient's identity and self-esteem are heavily dependent on body weight and body image.

Anorexia & Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa Overview reprinted with permission from womenshealthchannel.com
© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Anorexia & Bulimia Resources

	Join Our Anorexia and Bulimia Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer